Grand Rapids Press File PhotoNancy Makin fits herself and her son Chris' family in one of her old skirts that she calls "The Holy Relic".GRAND RAPIDS -- Nancy Makin, who wrote a book about losing more than 500 pounds, launched her book tour in a big way this week with appearances on ABC's "Good Morning America" and CNN's "The Joy Behar Show."

Makin's book, "703: How I Lost More Than a Quarter Ton and Gained a Life," tells how she weighed 703 pounds and began to lose it when she felt valued by other people, allowing her to value herself. A gift of a computer allowed her to connect with people who did not judge her by her appearance, but by her wit and personality. She began to drop the weight and kept it off.

"I've healed something within," Makin told "Good Morning America" host Robin Roberts. "And I've had this off for seven years. Sports Illustrated has not called yet, but I'm not holding my breath and I don't care."

On the show, Makin and Roberts held out a 103-inch skirt Makin wore at the peak of her weight.

"We just did some photos for the local paper," Makin told Roberts. "Five family members got in it: My son and his wife, my two teenage grandchildren and me. It was quite hilarious.

Makin's book tour comes home to Grand Rapids at 7 p.m. on May 18 at Schuler Books, 2660 28th Street SE. She will be at Schuler's Lansing location, 2820 Towne Center Blvd., at 7 p.m. on May 13.